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Cutting to the heart of lawn trimmers

Q: What should I look for when buying an edger to trim grass around our large, corner lot? We have three boulevard sections and front and side yards, some of which are bordered with a chain-link fence. We're looking for something that's efficient, durable, clean and as economical as possible.

Q: What should I look for when buying an edger to trim grass around our large, corner lot? We have three boulevard sections and front and side yards, some of which are bordered with a chain-link fence. We're looking for something that's efficient, durable, clean and as economical as possible.

A: "Line trimmer" is the typical name for this tool, and I recommend a gas-powered unit. Larger models with handlebars are called brush cutters, and they're ideal for very large lots.

There are many inexpensive line trimmers on the market and homeowners often opt for a cheap unit, figuring they "don't need anything more." Trouble is, bargain basement models typically turn out to be expensive in the end, when the unit breaks in some frustrating way and needs to be replaced in just a couple of years. This is why I recommend investing more up front for lower long-term costs and better performance.

First of all, consider units with a straight shaft connecting the motor and the trimmer head instead of a curved shaft. Curved models are popular, but changing the direction of power transmission like this means less cutting power down at the grass.

Fifteen years ago I paid top dollar for a very large, pro-grade Jonsered trimmer and it's still going strong after 300 hours of use. The annual cost of ownership works out to almost nothing (and getting cheaper every year I use it), yet the machine still works flawlessly today.

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Three years ago I bought a smaller Echo line trimmer with a 25cc engine. This is a good size for a typical yard and I can certainly recommend this brand. It's lightweight and remarkably clean burning.

Line trimmers, like most small outdoor power equipment, use what are called two-stroke engines. These require oil to be mixed with the gas, which is more troublesome than four-stroke engines, which burn unmixed gas.

Ryobi has just launched a line of four-stroke line trimmers, which I'll be testing later this summer. One model even has a simple, lightweight electric start feature.

Regardless of which model you choose, take eye and ear protection seriously. Line trimmers can and regularly do send all manner of debris flying around – sticks, gravel, bits of plastic trimming line – as well as grass. After tiring of getting hit in the face with bits of supersonic gravel, I bought a face shield and earmuff helmet of the sort used for running a chainsaw safely. It looks cumbersome, but it's actually more comfortable than the safety glasses with earmuffs I used to wear.

Also, consider buying a support harness for your trimmer. It transfers the weight of the tool off your arms and onto your shoulders.

Q: What's the best way to remove and prevent moss from growing on asphalt shingles? In the past I've tried a strip of lead at the ridge, but it didn't work.

A: Rooftop moss shortens shingle life considerably, so you're wise to deal with the problem.

Zinc strips, not lead, are highly effective at preventing moss and lichen from growing in the first place, but it's not powerful enough to remove existing growth. For this, use a light application of 20 per cent bleach solution on the roof, or a gentle brushing followed by a hose down.

Pure strips of sheet zinc are sold at building supply outlets for rooftop moss prevention. Install them under the top course of shingles so two inches of metal remains exposed to the weather. If you're installing new shingles, use roofing nails to secure the metal. If you're adding zinc strips to an existing roof, gently pry up the edge of the top row of shingles, push the metal into position, then anchor it with a bead of tar from a caulking tube. Each zinc strip protects 20 downhill feet of roof. If your roof includes slopes that are longer than this, install a second strip halfway down the roof.

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